Secure and reliable

When safety is paramount in your survey and clearance operations, IT 6 offers a solution to ensure your success.

For energy: With any offshore energy development, there’s the potential to encounter unexploded ordnance (UXO). IT 6 improves the safety and efficiency of clearance operations, keeping your personnel away from risk and your project on track.

For defence: An important new addition to the MCM and underwater ordnance playbook, IT 6 helps your clearance divers and robotic platforms dispose of modern day and historical ordnance, quickly and effectively.

IT 6 is based on our field-proven Wideband 2 digital signal technology, which offers a reliable and long-range underwater wireless communications link. With IT 6, your personnel no longer need to hard wire mine neutralisers up to signal relay buoys on the surface and can set up an initiation operation in bad weather and outside of daylight hours.

Initiation Transponder 6 (IT 6) is designed to be connected directly to a remotely deployed, non-electric (NONEL) mine neutralisation device, such as a Viper from ECS Special Projects. This allows commercial and naval EOD teams to send a wireless, acoustic command from their vessel to initiate a shock tube.

It can be placed directly by a clearance diver or remotely operated vehicles (ROV). Divers and ROVs are constrained by the equipment and payload they can carry so we’ve designed IT 6 to be small and lightweight yet tough enough to withstand everyday operational situations.

With use cases from offshore renewable energy to government and defence, IT 6 transponders are suitable for high order detonation and low order deflagration scenarios.

At a glance:

• Efficient, secure, safe
• 357 mm tall by 55 mm in diameter; 0.10 kg weight in water; designed to be carried by clearance divers or small ROVs
• Controlled using IP67-rated Deck Topside and cabled acoustic dunker
• Safe: automatic time-outs, hydrostatic switch, independent circuits for acoustics and firing
• Built using 6G hardware and Wideband 2 digital signal architecture: track with our Ranger 2 family of USBL tracking systems

Built for your UXO, MCM and EOD missions

Wireless

Underwater acoustic command and control is in our DNA, so IT 6 can be considered as reliable and as secure as traditional methods involving shock tubes and a lot safer than electrical detonation lines.

Safe

Safety and simplicity are key with the IT 6 and it features several fixed and user-configurable safety features.

Firstly, the IT 6 comes complete with a hydrostatic switch, which means the unit cannot be put into an armed state when shallower than the fixed hydrostatic switch depth. If recovered back to deck, the IT 6 will also render itself impossible to arm when it goes below the minimum allowed depth.

Configurable off-deck delays and seabed timeouts mean fixed arming and firing windows can be set. The internal circuitry of the IT 6 also means that no power is applied to the independent detonation circuitry until the operator chooses to fire/initiate the NONEL output from the IT 6.

The clear housing on the IT 6 contains three status LEDs which allow the operator to quickly assess the state of the transponder and its safety. A magnetic ‘remove before use’ pin also means the IT 6 has a long operational battery life and can be powered down completely when not in use.

IT 6 is controlled using our field-proven Deck Topside system. Environmentally rated to IP67, the topside features a daylight readable 7-inch resistive touch screen, physical initiate/arm buttons and rechargeable battery – perfect for operating from small craft with no external power.

A further operational benefit of IT 6 is that its location can be tracked using any our Ranger 2 USBL systems which are installed on hundreds of energy, defence and science vessels globally.

Revolutionary technology at your service

Key advantages for your operations

• Real-time tracking and communication with your dive teams
• Intuitive operation – no acoustic expertise needed
• Seamless integration with industry-leading dive computers and rebreathers from Shearwater Research and JFD
• Quick deployment from dockside or RHIB with our simple deployment kit
• Unrestricted by export controls

Our breakthrough digital signal architecture delivers you:

• Superior performance in challenging shallow water environments
• Extended range capability for long-distance dive profiles
• Simultaneous tracking of all divers
• Intelligent acoustic management
• Real-time updates through our intuitive interface

Built for real-world performance

DiveTrack gives you complete visibility of your dive operations. Building on our expertise in USBL and telemetry systems, we’re helping you push the boundaries of what’s possible in diver training and operations – all from just two rugged, easily portable, Peli cases.

Your complete solution includes:

Compact command unit housed in an IP-67 rated Peli case featuring:

• Up to 10 hours of battery life
• Integrated USBL positioning
• 10-metre cable
• Wi-Fi connectivity
• GNSS heading for calibration-free setup
• Space for your laptop or tablet

Intelligent charging station in a second Peli case:

• Charges up to 8 DiveTrack transponders
• Secure transport configuration
• Automatic ‘safe flight mode’ when stored
• 10+ hours of operational endurance per transponder
• Universal connector system for various dive computers

Reassuringly reliable Ranger 2

Ranger 2 is more than just an acoustic tracking and positioning system. It goes way beyond tracking; it can be part of a dynamic positioning system, it supports robust two-way data communication with a range of seafloor sensors to collect data, it can support AUV command and control and will even release seabed moorings.

Ranger 2 can even be run from an uncrewed surface vehicle (USV) enabling truly remote, autonomous operations. Whether your mission involves seabed surveys, offshore energy site inspections or commanding a fleet of AUV’s, Ranger 2 can help you expand them over the horizon and to the edges of your imagination.

It comes with an impressive list of standard features, our award-winning 6G (sixth generation) acoustic hardware platform and Sonardyne Wideband 2 digital signal architecture. The flexibility of the Ranger 2 family is further extended by our range of 6G transponders to support a wide variety of applications.

Why should you invest?

Our Ranger 2 family gives you the versatility you need, at the investment level you can afford, to get your project completed quickly and efficiently. It’s engineered like no other USBL on the market. Adaptable, scalable and always compact, there is a Ranger 2 USBL to suit any size vessel or project. As your needs grow, bolt-on software packs unlock additional capability and protect your investment. Whichever size suits you best, they will always be compatible with our full range of 6G transponders and many other vessel systems.

What is possible

As our mainstay USBL system for nearshore operations, Mini-Ranger 2 is a tracking, positioning and communications system with robotic capability. Straight out of the box it can track and communicate up to 995m. With an extension pack, this can be extended to 4,000m making it suitable for any AUV, diver, ROV, towfish, USV or vessel in shallow to mid-depth waters across many operational areas.

For ocean science and environmental campaigns, its survey-grade accuracy adds precision to your operations whether they involve; environmental surveys, aquaculture, coastal science, research vessels, sensor tracking or site survey and characterisation for offshore renewable energy.

For Naval test ranges and military diving – Mini-Ranger 2 allows you to track up to ten divers simultaneously, bringing precision and safety to maneuvers.

It offers more than just tracking – with the addition of a robotics pack – Mini-Ranger 2 allows you to communicate with, command and control up to ten vehicles simultaneously within your marine robotics fleet.

USBL tracking without the complexity – when micro is too small, but Ranger 2 is too big – mini is just right

Why choose it?

• Portable and quick to mobilise; a great choice for small survey vessels, moored barges and uncrewed vessels
• 995 m operating range; extendable to 4,000 m (requires export license)
• System accuracy 0.2%–1.3% of slant range, depending on system configuration
• Optional Marine Robotics software feature pack provides command and control of AUVs
• Works with a wide range of 6G transponders including RT 6 acoustic releases
• Simple to configure and easy to use, even with no experience of acoustic tracking technology
• Developed and supported by a company with over 50 years of experience in innovative underwater technology

The kit

HPT 3000

HPT 3000 is the highly capable surface deployed USBL transceiver at the heart of the Ranger 2 system. It’s suitable for all your operations, whether they involve shallow water, high elevation, long lay back operating scenarios, or data telemetry.

You can choose to deploy it over the side of your vessel on a simple pole arrangement or under the hull of a USV. If your operations demand a permanent deployment, a through-hull deployment setup is possible. Simply fit a transponder to each target you want to track and you’re ready to go!

HPT 3000 simply connects to your PC running the Ranger 2 software – the same process and software applies across the whole Ranger 2 family. As standard, it enables data harvesting from seafloor instruments, using crewed or uncrewed vessels, and works with a wide range of 6G transponders including RT 6 acoustic releases.

Transponder options

A wide range of our 6G transponders can be used with Mini-Ranger 2, allowing you to select the right one for your operations. If you’re tracking divers, small to medium sized AUVs or micro-class ROVs, Nano is a popular choice. When tracking larger targets such as a towfish, a crane wire lowering a structure, or an observation-class ROV, WSM 6+ will meet your requirements. If you need to release and retrieve seabed assets, our RT 6 allows you to deploy, track and recover seafloor equipment – all in one instrument.

Overview

Nano operates in the Medium Frequency (MF) band, so it’s compatible with our family of Ranger 2 USBL topside systems; Micro, Mini and Standard.

Measuring in around 160 mm in length, 55mm in diameter and weighing in at under 200 grams in water – depending on the exact version you’re using – Nano is small enough to fit on the smallest of vehicles and light enough for a diver to barely know they’re carrying one.

Nano’s built using the same signal technology platform you’ll find in our award-winning 6G product line – Wideband 2. So you can expect reliable acoustic communications in all operating environments, accurate position fixes and a continuous stream of location updates.

At a glance

• 2nd generation design, extended battery life and 500 m depth rating
• NFC, connector and OEM housing options
• NFC version is just 160 mm long by 55 mm in diameter. USBL transponders don’t get much smaller than this
• Depth rated to 500 m
• Easy to fit to divers, ROVs, equipment and AUVs

Nano features a 90-day quiescent battery life, ideal for long-term deployments and recovering lost assets. Nano’s battery lasts up to 12 hours, even when being actively tracked with one second position update rate.

The NFC Nano features a unique connector-less design that is recharged and programmed via the Nano Docking Station. The NFC technology allows full configuration of the Nano whilst maintaining its rugged “strap on and go” form factor.

The cabled Nano features an industry standard Subconn connector allowing the Nano to be permanently powered, and can also be used in Responder mode.

When purchasing a Micro-Ranger 2 USBL system, we include two Nanos as standard. You’re able to choose between the NFC or connector version at no additional cost.

For vehicle programs and integrators, the Nano OEM when paired with an OEM transducer provides all the functionality of the housed transponders, in a form factor that can be mounted in any system.

Nano has an inbuilt depth sensor and is a 500 m depth rated unit.

Maximum efficiency with the best value underwater tracking system on the market

It’s built on the same tried and tested cutting-edge hardware and digital acoustic technology found in the rest of our Ranger USBL family, so you can expect unrivalled performance without the complexity or cost. Its robust and compact format is ideal for your shallow coastal water and inland waterway operations thanks to its ultra-portable design. Track your divers and autonomous underwater vehicles at up to 995 m range.

Whether you’re a first-time user of USBL technology or a seasoned professional, you’ll find Micro-Ranger 2 incredibly easy to use – it’s a one box solution, make a few simple connections and your operation is ready to go!

We’ve engineered everything to fit in a robust carry case. Apart from your laptop to run the software, nothing else is needed and it’s so compact you can carry it on a plane. A built-in battery provides more than 10 hours of continuous use, enough for a full day of activity out on the water. The case can also take external power from a boat or shore supply.

Why choose it?

• Portable, everything you need comes in one box
• Quick to connect up and deploy
• Easy to use, no training needed
• Shares common platform with other Sonardyne USBLs
• Light and compact, attach to divers and small vessels without restricting their operations
• Developed and supported by a company with over 50 years of experience in innovative underwater technology

The kit

Transceivers

Ideal for tracking targets in shallow water up to the surface, the omni-directional acoustic tracking transceiver (MRT) is small and light enough to deploy on its cable from a pontoon, over the side of a vessel or on the sensor spar of a USV.

Micro-Ranger 2 software has many of the innovative features from our other larger Ranger 2 USBL systems to ensure you have everything you need to track underwater targets.

If your operations need to track and communicate with small AUVs or subsea drones, an optional Marine Robotics feature pack is available.

Transponders

What every diver, small towfish and micro ROV / AUV should be wearing, our Nano transponders are the perfect size and weight for tracking your important assets in shallow water without interfering with their movement. The two you will receive with Micro-Ranger 2 are second generation units offering extended battery life and depth rating. A connector-equipped Nano is also available allowing it to operate continuously via an external power source.

Simply choose the type of Nano transponder to suit your operation at the time of ordering. Micro-Ranger 2 can also be used with other Sonardyne 6G transponders including WSM 6+ and WMT.

Integrator/Marine robotics kit

If your operation needs you to both track and communicate with targets, the Micro-Ranger 2 integrator system kit is available. It comes complete with our add-on Marine Robotics software pack and AvTrak 6 Nano, which support two-way messaging, vehicle control and tracking in one small instrument.